Schrinner’s 20-year plan for a resilient, green, lifestyle corridor

Kedron Brook will be transformed into a flood-resilient, shaded green spine with upgraded bikeways and walking trails if the LNP council of Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner is re-elected on March 16.

The popular creek corridor that runs through 14 northern suburbs will be revegetated under a 20-year, $85 million master plan.

Sections of the northside creek will be revegetated to reduce floodwaters.Credit: Brisbane City Council.

About 600,000 cyclists, runners and walkers use the 20 kilometres of bikeways and walking paths between Ferny Hills and Nudgee each year.

The LNP has promised to turn it into a series of a flood-resilient recreation precincts, three years after existing infrastructure was left badly damaged by floods.

The project would be similar to major redevelopments on Brisbane’s southside: at Stones Corner’s Hanlon Park, which is part of the Norman Creek network, as well as ongoing work at Oxley Creek and Archerfield Wetlands.

The plan will improve walkways and bike paths.Credit: Brisbane City Council

“This long-term vision is focused on clean and sustainable outcomes that will make Brisbane more flood resilient while also improving the lifestyle of our suburbs,” Schrinner said.

“We have a track record of delivering master-planned lifestyle precincts, such as Hanlon Park and the Archerfield Wetlands.”

The concrete drain that carries the waters of Downfall Creek through Grey Gum Park at Stafford Heights will be replaced by specially planted waterways that slow floodwaters, similar to the Hanlon Park rejuvenation.

“The new Kedron Brook Vision will add to our strong record of increasing lifestyle and leisure opportunities and making our suburbs even better.”

Kedron Brook was one of the worst-hit areas in the 2022 floods, requiring five bridges to be repaired, fences to be replaced in 26 locations and 330 new pieces of electrical infrastructure at a cost of more than $1 million.

Kedron Brook in late February 2022 after the floods.Credit: Healthy Land and Water

After dividing the 110 square kilometre Kedron Brook catchment into four precincts, to allow for staged capital works, an LNP council would stabilise the banks, slow the water flow, and improve amenities.

“Major bank stabilisation works have already been completed in parts of the catchment, with more than 4000 native plants used in just one section as part of creek bank retaining works,” Schrinner said.

Schrinner also wants to increase tree cover to 80 per cent in the Kedron Brook area – thousands of plants would create a new canopy – after Brisbane Times last month reported the emerging problem of heat islands in Brisbane.

The Brisbane Life Study also looked at the role of tree cover and open space in determining quality of life in the city.

The LNP propose to revegetate Brisbane’s Kedron Brook into a flood-resilient, shaded green spine.

The Queensland government has set tree cover targets for councils: a minimum of 15 per cent tree cover in the city centre, 25 per cent in urban residential areas and commercial areas, and 50 per cent in suburban residential areas.

Schrinner is hoping to be re-elected lord mayor and have enough LNP councillors to retain control of City Hall.

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